Systems and methods for active particle separation

ABSTRACT

A device and method for extracting particles contained in a ferrofluid medium are provided. Such methods may comprise suspending particles of different sizes in a ferrofluid medium and containing the ferrofluid medium in a cylindrical reservoir, and applying a first magnetic field to at least a portion of the reservoir. The first magnetic field is configured to indirectly exert a force on at least a portion of the particles of a predetermined size, and direct the portion of particles in a desired direction.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application Nos. 61/794,885, filed Mar. 15, 2013, and entitled, “PCB-Based Magnetic Excitation Approach” the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for extracting particles from ferrofluids.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

WO2011/071912 and WO2012/057878 presents systems and methods for separating microparticles or cells contained in a ferrofluid medium using magnetic forces. The magnitude of these forces depend, in part, on the volume of the non-magnetic particles (e.g., moieties) for separation/targeting. Moreover, a larger cell or microparticle displaces a larger ferrofluid volume, and experiences larger forces.

Mechanical exclusion, via well-known filtration is, by its very nature, prone to clogging, and also subsequent increases in pressure drop across the filter as the filter becomes more and more clogged. Such filtration means rely on physically stopping a large enough target particle across a smaller opening on a surface.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of this disclosure are a further application and development of previous series of disclosures, including, for example PCT publication no. WO2011/071912 and WO2012/057878, the noted disclosures of which are all herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.

In some embodiments, methods for extracting particles contained in a ferrofluid medium are provided. Such methods may comprise suspending particles of different sizes in a ferrofluid medium to form a mix and containing the mix in a reservoir (e.g., cylindrical), and applying a first magnetic field to at least a portion of the reservoir. The first magnetic field is configured to indirectly exert a force on at least a portion of the particles of at least one predetermined size and/or shape, and direct the portion of particles in a desired direction.

Such method embodiments may additionally include one or more (or all, as applicable) of the following features (thereby establishing yet other embodiments):

-   -   applying includes surrounding at least the portion of the         reservoir with the magnetic field;     -   the particles comprise at least one of biological cells and         moieties;     -   the reservoir includes or is in communication with an extraction         opening;     -   the desired direction is toward the extraction opening;     -   the desired direction is away from the extraction opening;     -   the desired direction is toward a central axis the reservoir;     -   the desired direction is away from a central axis of the         reservoir;     -   the predetermined size comprises smaller particles relative to         the remainder of the particles in the ferrofluid medium;     -   the predetermined size comprises larger particles relative to         the remainder of the particles in the ferrofluid medium;     -   a flow outlet is provided on and/or in communication with the         reservoir;     -   the exerted force is configured such that the portion of         particles are carried away in a flow out of the reservoir via         the flow outlet;     -   applying an external force on the reservoir to establish the         flow out the flow outlet, where;     -   the external force is applied via a pressure source, where the         pressure source is a pump;     -   accelerating a flow of the portion of particles via a second         magnetic field, the second magnetic field generated by a second         magnetic field source arranged on a portion of the reservoir         positioned opposite to the extraction opening;     -   a non-magnetic membrane configured with pore sizes larger than         particles within the reservoir to direct particles in a second         desired direction;     -   the second desired direction is toward spaces between the pores         of the membrane, wherein the membrane spaces are configured to         retain the particles;     -   the second desired direction is toward the pores of the         membrane, such that the particles pass through the membrane;     -   the non-magnetic membrane comprises a plastic sheet;     -   the first magnetic field source is configured to reduce the         amplitude or substantially eliminate the first magnetic field or         the effects thereof;     -   the amplitude is selected based on the size of the size of the         portion of the particles;     -   a plurality of non-magnetic beads suspended in the ferrofluid,         the non-magnetic beads being functionalized with at least one         predetermined receptor configured to bind with a target         particle;     -   wherein the at least one predetermined receptor include at least         one of a molecule, a cell, an antibody, DNA or fragment thereof,         and a ligand;     -   the magnetic field is configured to direct the target particles         toward the space between the pores of the membrane which are         configured to retain the target particles; and     -   detecting means to at least one of track or count the retained         target particles.

In some embodiment of the disclosure, systems for extracting particles contained in a biocompatible ferrofluid medium are provided. Such systems may comprise a reservoir (e.g., cylindrical) configured to contain a ferrofluid medium containing particles of different sizes to form a mix, a first magnetic field source configured to indirectly exert a force on the particles to direct at least a portion of the particles of at least one size and/or shape in a desired direction, and an extraction opening arranged on a portion of the reservoir and/or in communication with the reservoir, the extraction opening configured to receive particles of at least one size and/or shape (may be predetermined size and/or shape) from the reservoir as a result of the exerted force.

Such system embodiments, may include one or more (or all, as applicable) of the following additional features (thereby establishing yet other embodiments):

-   -   the first magnetic field source is configured to generate a         first magnetic field surrounding at least the portion of the         reservoir;     -   the particles comprise at least one of biological cells and         moieties;     -   the desired direction is toward the extraction opening;     -   the desired direction is away from the extraction opening;     -   the desired direction is toward a central axis of the reservoir;     -   the desired direction is away from a central axis of the         reservoir;     -   the predetermined size comprises smaller particles relative to         the remainder of the particles in the ferrofluid medium;     -   the predetermined size comprises larger particles relative to         the remainder of the particles in the ferrofluid medium;     -   a flow outlet provided on and/or in communication with the         reservoir;     -   the exerted force is configured such that the portion of         particles are carried away in a flow out of the reservoir via         the flow outlet, and wherein the desired direction is away from         the extraction opening;     -   applying a non-magnetic external force on the reservoir to         establish the flow out the flow outlet;     -   the external force is applied via a pressure source, where the         pressure source is a pump; and     -   a second magnetic field source arranged on a portion of the         reservoir located opposite to the extraction opening, the second         magnetic field source configured to generate a second magnetic         field on the portion of the particles to accelerate a flow of         the portion of particles to the extraction opening;     -   a non-magnetic membrane configured with pore sizes larger than         particles within the reservoir to direct particles in a second         desired direction;     -   the second desired direction is toward spaces between the pores         of the membrane, wherein the membrane spaces are configured to         retain the particles;     -   the second desired direction is toward the pores of the         membrane, such that the particles pass through the membrane;     -   the non-magnetic membrane comprises a plastic sheet;     -   the first magnetic field source is configured to reduce the         amplitude or substantially eliminate the first magnetic field or         the effects thereof;     -   the amplitude is selected based on the size of the size of the         portion of the particles;     -   a plurality of non-magnetic beads suspended in the ferrofluid,         the non-magnetic beads being functionalized with at least one         predetermined receptor configured to bind with a target         particle;     -   the at least one predetermined receptor include at least one of         a molecule, a cell, an antibody, DNA or fragment thereof, and a         ligand;     -   the magnetic field is configured to direct the target particles         toward the space between the pores of the membrane which are         configured to retain the target particles; and     -   detecting mean to at least one of track or count the retained         target particles (such detecting means being well known in the         art).

The above-noted embodiments, as well as other embodiments, will become even more evident with reference to the following detailed description and associated drawing, a brief description of which is provided below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration depicting structures of a reservoir and associated structures containing a ferrofluid and a mixture of microparticles, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is an illustration depicting structures of a reservoir and associated structures containing a ferrofluid and a mixture of microparticles, including a magnetic source for applying a magnetic field to the reservoir, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is an illustration depicting structures of a reservoir and associated structures containing a ferrofluid and a mixture of microparticles, including two magnetic sources for applying one or more magnetic fields to the reservoir, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is an illustration depicting structures of a membrane with pore sizes larger than the individual particles/cells placed within a reservoir containing a ferrofluid medium.

FIG. 5 is an illustration depicting the cross-sectional and schematic view of a membrane with pores within a ferrofluid medium.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME OF THE EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIG. 1, a reservoir 10 containing a ferrofluid 11 (which in some embodiments is biocompatible) and a mixture of microparticles/cells 12 having different sizes (in some embodiments). In FIG. 1, no external forces are applied to the fluid, reservoir and/or particles, and ignoring buoyancy issues, a random mixture of particles may flow through an extraction opening 13 of the reservoir.

FIG. 2 illustrates some embodiments, where a reservoir 20 containing a ferrofluid 21 with a mixture of microparticles 22 of different sizes, and includes at least one magnetic source 25 for applying a magnetic field to the ferrofluid 21, which may be arranged either internal or external to the reservoir 20. The particles 22 include biological cells and moieties. The magnetic field may be configured to exert one or more forces on the ferrofluid 21 and may be generated via, for example, one or more: external magnets, current-carrying electrodes, solenoid, and electromagnets. In one embodiment, the magnetic field may surround at least a portion of the reservoir 20. The reservoir 10 includes or is in communication with an extraction opening 23. The force(s) exerted by the magnetic fields on the ferrofluid 21 cause the particles 22, in some embodiments, to be directed in a desired direction. Such a desired direction may be toward the extraction opening 23, away from the extraction opening 23, toward a central axis of the reservoir 20, and away from a central axis of the reservoir 20, according to some embodiments. The particles 22 include, in one embodiment, smaller particles relative to the remainder of the particles 22 in the ferrofluid 21 and larger particles relative the remainder of the particles 22 in the ferrofluid 21. The larger particles feel much larger repulsive forces, and can hence be dynamically levitated above the outlet, whereas the smaller particles will be dragged out with flow. In one embodiment, a flow outlet 24 is provided on and/or in communication with the reservoir. The exerted force may be configured to carry away a portion of particles 22 in a flow out of the reservoir 20 via the flow outlet 24. Such a flow out of the reservoir 20 may be generated via an external force, for example, a pressure source or a pump.

It is possible to create a magnetic field pattern around a sample reservoir or vial carrying microparticles or cells suspended within a biocompatible ferrofluid in order to push those moieties either toward or away from an extraction hole. This approach and the device that achieves this manipulation could be used in the context of either speeding or delaying the delivery of the target moieties from the volume of the reservoir into the fluidic cartridge downstream. The magnitude of this magnetic force would depend in part on the intensity of the magnetic field sources, as well as their relative geometry with respect to that of the reservoir. The magnetic force also depends on the ferrofluid susceptibility and the volume of the microparticles/cells. Hence, the pushing force, in conjunction with the flow rate out of the reservoir/vial into the extraction hole, could be engineered such that moieties larger than a selectable threshold volume could be continuously and dynamically repelled away the vial's outlet under steady state conditions. In this fashion, moieties larger than the selectable threshold volume could be excluded from the fluidic network downstream.

What is described here is an “active pre-filter” that works on dynamic magnetic exclusion principles in steady-state flow and magnetic excitation conditions. Most other size-based filtration methods rely on mechanical obstacles (such as pore sizes of a given diameter in filter paper or micro fabricated devices) and work on static mechanical exclusion principles.

The active pre-filter described here avoids the shortcomings of mechanical filters by achieving size-based separation and exclusion within the 3D volume of the vial/reservoir, instead of the 2D surface of a mechanic filter (FIGS. 1 and 2). Those microparticles or cells that are larger than the selectable threshold are continuously suspended and mixed in the biocompatible ferrofluid, hence preventing large scales of clustering and possible clogging issues.

Even if the filtered moieties tend to cluster within the ferrofluid, their increased overall hydrodynamic diameter will result in substantially larger repulsion forces on them. With flow drag roughly proportional to the hydrodynamic diameter (˜d) and magnetic forces proportional to the hydrodynamic volume (˜d³), the larger cluster will be pushed further away from the outlet. Hence, this active pre-filter features a negative feedback mechanism that naturally prevents potential clogging issues (FIG. 2).

FIG. 3 illustrate some embodiments, where a reservoir 30 containing a ferrofluid 31 and a mixture of microparticles 32 with different sizes. A second magnetic field source 36 maybe place opposite the extraction opening 33 to accelerate the transport of microparticles 32 towards it. In this fashion, the effect of any other forces (such as buoyancy) on the delivery efficiency of target particles/cells 32 to the fluidic network downstream may be minimized. The larger particles would also cluster and levitate closer to the outlet, the relative intensity of the two field sources may be tuned to prevent any cluster from clogging the outlet. Moreover, clusters may be broken by periodic intensity modulations in at least one field sources.

It may be necessary to intentionally and periodically stir up the contents of the vial so as to break up clusters of large microparticles or cells. This will ensure that anything smaller than the selection threshold is not impeded by or somehow stuck within the clusters. This effect might be easily achieved by modulating the intensity of the externally applied magnetic field and allowing the flow to break the dynamic clusters apart (FIG. 3).

In the simplest realization of the active pre-filter, a vial/reservoir with cylindrical symmetry sits on top of a tunable source of magnetic fields, preferably encompassing similar symmetry in its geometry. The magnetic field and its gradient are designed to push the target moieties suspended in a biocompatible ferrofluid up and towards the center of the vial, into the region of strongest flow (away from the vial's interior surfaces). The biocompatible ferrofluid is pulled into an extraction hole at the center bottom of the vial via externally imposed flow conditions (e.g., a pump or pressure device). The intensity of the magnetic field and its gradient are engineered so as to push moieties larger than a selectable size up and away from the vial's outlet at the bottom faster than the maximum flow rate near the vicinity of the outlet. In certain instances, a recirculation region within toroidal symmetry is formed around the outlet, capturing and circulating the filtered moieties. In other geometries, the filtered moieties hover dynamically a certain distance over the outlet. In such cases, as the filtration progresses, the filtered moieties are intentionally allowed to cluster and pushed further up.

FIG. 4 illustrates some embodiments, where a reservoir 40 containing a ferrofluid 41 and a mixture of microparticles 42 with different sizes. A first magnetic field source 45 placed proximate to the extraction opening 43 and a second magnetic field source 46 placed opposite of the first magnetic field source 45 to accelerate the transport of microparticles 42 toward the extraction opening 43.

In some embodiments, a non-magnetic membrane 47 configured with pore sizes larger than microparticles 42 within the reservoir 40 containing the ferrofluid mix 41 of ferrofluid and target particles is provided. Such membranes function to capture target particles using magnetic fields. For example, in the absence of externally applied magnetic fields, micro/target particles/cells may flow through the membrane's pores. However, upon applying a magnetic fields, the non-magnetic membrane 47 may be configured to direct debris, particulate contaminants and microparticles/cells 42, larger than a size threshold value (for example), away from the pores of the membrane and into the space between the pores. Particles 42 smaller than the threshold, in some embodiments, tend to follow flow streamlines and pass through the non-magnetic membrane 47.

The non-magnetic membrane, in one embodiment, is made out of a plastic sheet. In addition, in some embodiments, the pores may be configured as any size (on a scale relative to the teachings herein, e.g., pore sizes of 1-200 μm, 5-50 μm, 10-100 μm, 20-30 μm), and any shape, including, for example, round, circular, polygonal, rectangular/slit, square, and/or elliptical. In some embodiments, the shape of the pores is configured to aid in the intended functionality of capturing particles using magnetic forces and not by pore size (i.e., pore size relative to target particle size), such that the overall pore size, in some embodiments, is larger than the target particle size.

A plurality of pores, according to some embodiments, may be arranged in predetermined patterns (i.e., not random), and may be configured in such a manner to aid in the capture functionality of the membrane feature. Thus, groups of pores on the same or different size, shape, etc., may be arranged in repeated groups or matrix. Such pores may be manufactured into a sheet of material, by, for example, laser etching.

FIG. 5 illustrates some embodiments, magnetic field lines prefer to stay within the magnetic medium of the ferrofluid. If the porous membrane 50 is made out of a non-magnetic material (such as a thin sheet of plastic), field lines traversing its thickness get concentrated within the pores. This effect results in stronger field amplitudes within the pores, compared to just outside them—thereby creating a magnetic field gradient that pushes particles up and away from the pores. Since the magnetic force on particles is proportional to the volume of ferrofluid that they displace, larger particles 51 tend to accumulate over the membrane 50 in the space between the spores, while small particles 52 follow flow streamlines and pass through the membrane 50.

In some embodiments, the porous membrane may be made from a thin foil of a magnetic material configured with a magnetic susceptibility which is greater than that of the ferrofluid at the magnetic excitation frequencies used (for example). For instance, such magnetic membranes may be machined out of a thin foil of nickel via, for example, lithographic etching or laser machining Accordingly, upon the application of a magnetic field (e.g., external magnetic field), the magnetic field lines traversing the thickness of the magnetic membrane tend to remain within the membrane material. This effect, according to some embodiments, may result in weaker field amplitudes within the pores compared to just outside them, which thereby creates a magnetic field gradient that can push the non-magnetic particles towards the pores. In some embodiments, if magnetic beads are added to the sample mixture, they may be attracted towards the surface of the magnetic membrane between the pores. In this same fashion, functionalized magnetic beads may be used to rapidly pull down, isolate and purify target moieties in biocompatible ferrofluids.

The porous membrane is not absolutely necessary for the active filter to function, but by creating strong and localized field gradients, it allows for a much more robust and easily tunable size-based separation.

When the fields are lowered in magnitude or turned off completely, the retained particles/cells can be selectively released back into the flow stream. For instance, in an assay that is conducted with a mixture of whole blood and blood-compatible ferrofluid, platelets, red blood cells and white blood cells may be sequentially retained and selectively entered into the assay channels by reducing the magnetic field amplitude appropriately for each cell size. Hence, with the use of the active pre-filter, labor- and time-intensive cell separation techniques (such as centrifugation) may be rendered redundant, resulting in much quicker and simpler assay protocols. The field magnitudes may be sequentially controlled and timed by a microprocessor as part of an automated assay.

In yet another embodiment, multiple membranes may be stacked serially along the fluidic pathway, and may be exposed to the same magnetic field sources (for example). Each membrane may be positioned parallel to others in the stack and, in some embodiments, at least partially orthogonal to the flow direction. In some embodiments, a minimum spacing between each membrane is chosen to correspond to at least their thickness, so that field line density has space to return to normal between each membrane (i.e., in some embodiments, this is provided to avoid one membrane from interfering with the filtering ability of its neighbor). In some embodiments, using stacked, non-magnetic membranes with progressively smaller pore sizes, a complex mixture with various cell/particle sizes (such as whole blood) may be fractionated very rapidly based on size.

In some embodiments, the porous membrane may be used to rapidly immobilize and hold down functionalized beads over its surface. These beads would carry at least one kind of receptor molecule, antibody, DNA fragment and other ligand on their outer surface. As the beads are held on the membrane with magnetic fields, a mixture of target and non-target moieties may be flown through the active filter and rapidly captured on the “carpet” of beads sitting over the porous membrane. The target moieties may be small molecules, proteins, complementary DNA fragments, viruses, bacteria or even larger cells. Once the target moieties have been captured on the beads and isolated from the initial mixture, they could be either tagged and quantified directly on the porous membrane, or be released into the assay chamber for further processing and quantification. With this approach, what is normally a lengthy and labor-intensive sample preparation, incubation and isolation process can be reduced to an automatic and rapid step within a simple instrument.

In some embodiments, actual bacteria and cells are held on the porous membrane surface with magnetic fields, and can be exposed to molecular tags, candidate drug molecules, antibodies or other proteins, with the express purpose of dramatically accelerating the incubation processes associated with binding ligands to cellular surface biomarkers.

The porous membrane may also be functionalized with ligands that capture the pathogens or cells held on its surface. This approach is especially useful if it is desired to have target pathogens or cells remain on the membrane surface while other moieties present in the initial sample mixture are washed away when the magnetic fields are turned down (such as in sample purification or immune-sorbent assays). As such, the active filter not only solves the mass transport limitations associated with incubation steps in molecular or cellular assays, it also avoids the labor-intensive washing steps that typically follow binding/capture reactions.

Any and all references to publications or other documents, including but not limited to, patents, patent applications, articles, webpages, books, etc., presented in the present application, are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Example embodiments of the devices, systems and methods have been described herein. As noted elsewhere, these embodiments have been described for illustrative purposes only and are not limiting. Other embodiments are possible and are covered by the disclosure, which will be apparent from the teachings contained herein. Thus, the breadth and scope of the disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments but should be defined only in accordance with claims supported by the present disclosure and their equivalents. Moreover, embodiments of the subject disclosure may include methods, systems and devices which may further include any and all elements from any other disclosed methods, systems, and devices, including any and all elements corresponding to target particle separation, focusing/concentration. In other words, elements from one or another disclosed embodiments may be interchangeable with elements from other disclosed embodiments. In addition, one or more features/elements of disclosed embodiments may be removed and still result in patentable subject matter (and thus, resulting in yet more embodiments of the subject disclosure). Correspondingly, some embodiments of the present disclosure may be patentably distinct from one and/or another reference by specifically lacking one or more elements/features. In other words, claims to certain embodiments may contain negative limitation to specifically exclude one or more elements/features resulting in embodiments which are patentably distinct from the prior art which include such features/elements. 

1. A method for extracting particles contained in a ferrofluid medium, the method comprising: suspending particles of different sizes in a ferrofluid medium and containing the ferrofluid medium in a cylindrical reservoir; applying a first magnetic field to at least a portion of the reservoir, wherein the first magnetic field is configured to: indirectly exert a force on at least a portion of the particles of a predetermined size, and direct the portion of particles in a desired direction.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein applying the first magnetic field includes surrounding at least the portion of the reservoir with the magnetic field.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the particles comprise at least one of biological cells and moieties.
 4. The method of claim 1, where the reservoir includes or is in communication with an extraction opening.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the desired direction is toward the extraction opening.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the desired direction is away from the extraction opening.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the desired direction is toward a central axis of the reservoir.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the desired direction is away from a central axis of the reservoir.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined size comprises smaller particles relative to the remainder of the particles in the ferrofluid medium.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined size comprises larger particles relative to the remainder of the particles in the ferrofluid medium.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein a flow outlet is provided on and/or in communication with the reservoir.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the exerted force is configured such that the portion of particles is carried away in a flow out of the reservoir via the flow outlet.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising applying an external force on the reservoir to establish the flow out the flow outlet.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the external force is applied via a pressure source.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the pressure source is a pump.
 16. The method of claim 5, further comprising accelerating a flow of the portion of particles via a second magnetic field, the second magnetic field generated by a second magnetic field source arranged on a portion of the reservoir positioned opposite to the extraction opening.
 17. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a membrane within the reservoir.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the membrane comprises a non-magnetic membrane configured with pore sizes larger than particles within the reservoir to direct particles in a second desired direction.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the second desired direction is toward spaces between pores of the membrane, wherein the spaces are configured to retain particles of at least a first size.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the second desired direction is toward pores of the membrane, such that the particles pass through the membrane.
 21. The method of claim 18, wherein the non-magnetic membrane comprises a plastic sheet.
 22. The method of claim 18, wherein the membrane is configured to reduce the amplitude of or substantially eliminate the first magnetic field or the effects thereof.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the amplitude is selected based on the size of the portion of the particles.
 24. The method of claim 18, further comprising a plurality of non-magnetic beads suspended in the ferrofluid, the non-magnetic beads being functionalized with at least one predetermined receptor configured to bind with a target particle contained in the particles within the ferrofluid medium.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the at least one predetermined receptor include at least one of a molecule, a cell, an antibody, DNA or fragment thereof, and a ligand.
 26. The method of claim 24, wherein the first magnetic field is configured to direct target particles toward space between pores of the membrane which are configured to retain the target particles.
 27. method of claim 26, further comprising detecting means to at least one of track or count the retained target particles.
 28. The method of claim 17, further comprising providing at least one other nonmagnetic membrane, wherein the at least one other non-magnetic membrane is parallel to other membranes.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein each membrane has a smaller pore size than a previous membrane.
 30. The method of claim 17, wherein the membrane comprises a magnetic membrane.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the magnetic membrane comprises a thin foil of nickel.
 32. The method of claim 30, further comprising providing a plurality of magnetic beads suspended in the ferrofluid medium, the magnetic beads being functionalized with at least one predetermined receptor configured to bind with a target particle contained in the particles within the ferrofluid medium.
 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the magnetic beads are directed toward a surface of the magnetic membrane between the pores. 34-60. (canceled) 